Editorial: Sex trafficking continues

The sensational trial of Terrence "T-Rex" Yarbrough thankfully has ended with his conviction on most of the charges that he coerced eight women and two teenage girls into working for a prostitution ring operated by Yarbrough.

Testimony in the trial described Yarbrough's violent, domineering treatment of the women. Jurors heard a recording of a phone call he made from jail in which Yarbrough bragged about kicking one of his victims in the mouth so hard that she had to get dentures. He punished other women by beating them with crowbars, belts and dog chains.

So justice was done when he was convicted in federal court Dec. 5 on the sex-trafficking charges. Thanks to the brave testimony of his victims, Yarbrough will be going to prison for a long time after he is sentenced in April.

But his high-profile trial and conviction only underscore a larger, more serious problem in Greater Memphis and much of America.

According to recent Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports, hundreds of teenagers in Tennessee are victims of sex trafficking every year.

In cities and towns across the state, vulnerable young women are falling prey to pimps, gangs and other criminals who coerce them into unspeakable acts and crimes.

And the problem seems to be getting worse.

Gangs that once ran drugs are now making fast money through sex trafficking. The supply of runaway, confused young girls continues to expand at a time when the economy is making it tough for young people to find a legitimate job.

There is now an international market for these girls and multinational organizations that move them from place to place.

It's good that T-Rex Yarbrough will be sent away.

But there is much more work to be done if sex trafficking and modern slavery are to be reduced.